Sponsors (7)
The bill seeks to modernize grid planning and speed interconnections through AI/HPC assessments and a federal report—potentially improving reliability and clarity for regulators—while creating cybersecurity risks and possible implementation costs without guaranteed funding.
Utilities, grid operators, and electricity customers could see improved grid reliability and capacity because adoption of AI/HPC tools is studied to optimize operations and planning.
Developers, utilities, and consumers could experience faster connections of new generators and loads because the bill promotes accelerating interconnection studies and timelines.
State regulators, utilities, and industry could face clearer rules and potentially lower integration costs because the bill requires identifying regulatory and cybersecurity barriers and recommending solutions.
Utilities, grid operators, and electricity customers could face increased cyber risk if recommendations to adopt AI are pursued faster than adequate security safeguards are implemented.
Utilities and customers could incur additional costs because implementing recommendations may require system upgrades, compliance actions, and staff training.
Utilities, developers, and taxpayers may face delays in actual upgrades and frustrated expectations because the bill assesses technologies without guaranteeing immediate funding or an implementation plan.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Requires DOE, with FERC and the ERO, to assess and report within one year on using AI and HPC to improve bulk‑power system capacity, reliability, and efficiency and to recommend ways to overcome technical, regulatory, cybersecurity, and operational barriers.
Requires the Department of Energy, working with FERC and the Electric Reliability Organization, to assess how artificial intelligence (AI) and high‑performance computing (HPC) — including probabilistic operating techniques — could improve the capacity, reliable operation, and operational efficiency of the bulk‑power system. The Secretary must start the assessment within 90 days and submit a report to two congressional committees within one year that identifies technical, regulatory, cybersecurity, and operational barriers and offers recommendations to address them. The report must use existing statutory definitions for the bulk‑power system, Electric Reliability Organization, and reliable operation, and deliver actionable recommendations to facilitate safe adoption and integration of AI/HPC into bulk‑power operations.
Official title: To require the Secretary of Energy to conduct an assessment on the use of artificial intelligence and high-performance computing technologies to enhance the bulk-power system, and for other purposes.
Introduced June 18, 2026 by Diana Harshbarger · Last progress September 16, 2026